Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-10

A correspondent wishes to know why fourth
class clerks are excepted from tb operation of the
new civil service regulations. Tie authority given
to the Commissioners was TO make regulations for
promotions and the new rules masquerade under
that title OF course members OF the highest class
OF clerks are not subject TO promotion, and there
fore not sIbje to regulations for promotion. II
authority hd1 been given to make rules to facilf-
tate dismisSals. and to provide new grounds for
turning out 1.-The rascals', who had been cautious
enough TO avoid the Scylla and Charybdis OF
lnefnctency and perniciOus activity, the new
rules would have been framed to accomplish
directly, what is attempted indirectly, and some
absurdties would have been avoided A man
efficiently performing humble duties would not be
fOrcfbly hauled up for examination for promotion
to higher duties 20 which he does not aspire nor
would the result OF that higher examination be
made factor in determining whether he Is ut to
perform the humble duties to which he has been
appointed Examinations as TO fitness to serve
would not be confined 10 few classes, but would
take in all public servants. The character, time
and frequency OF examinations and the classes to
be examined would all differ from those provided
by the new regulations. Ii seems that the Commits
sioners have even strained point in response to the
political demand that 4 clean sweep be made of
the departments, and it Is inconsiderate to re-
proaeh them because under stress OF circum-
stances they have been compelled to allow a
II Is estimated By department Official who is
said 10 be in position TO know that at least seven
eighthS OF the old government employees will lose
their positions under the new rules. vacan-
cieS, vacancies, vacance' and competitive exam
nations stretching out 10 the crack of doom to
correspond. The official day viii need to have a
portion OF il set apart like the lunch hour
for the purpose OF competitive examina-
tons As Uncle sam pays for the time
thus spent under compulson by everybody new
scheme may be added to the plans for reducing
the surplus II Is nonsense to say that the seven
eghths to be discharged will be weeded out as un-
tit and inefficient. III inefficient they are already
liable TO be discharged on that score at any time
prodigtousm emory and intense application tc all
branches Of knowledge to perform faithfully and
efficiently the routine duties which fall 70 the
large body of government clerks 1t is to the
interest OF the government as it would
De to the interest OF the head OF
any great manufacturing establishment that
its employees, II not inefficient in the. perform
ance OF duties assigned, shall have q feeling OF
security in their positions, and shall hold their
places sufficiently long to give 1t the benefit OF
their experience. Uncertainty and apprehension
among government employees, fears Of losing their
place not because unit for duty, but because of
OF this or that politics or because unable to answer
miscellaneous questionsof hostile examiner tend
TO demoralize the working force, making it shift
ing, changeable and unreliable. The capital city
Is injured as well as the government because
employees viii not make permanent homes i'm
provements or investments here, or become In
any way identified with the city, II the terror of
dismissal or grounds which the most faithful per.
Torrance OF duty Will not necessarily avoid Is con-
stantly before them.